Friend me

Today is the day of the instant friendship. Through whatever Social Media application you choose, the amount of friends you can compile seems the new objective: real friendships aren’t the goal anymore.

You may read the updates, comment, and otherwise connect. This opportunity to connect is great. The connections are sometimes productive. Mostly, they are shallow.

The majority of the great memories I have with my friends have nothing to do with an update on Facebook or a sly quip on Twitter. Memories are made in the physical moments you spend together. The experiences: both good and bad.

I work closely with my two staff pastors. Much of the information we share and the projects we work on we could accomplish via conference calls or some other meeting medium.

This would save us money and time. However, it would hurt us in the long run. That’s why we hit a coffee shop every week.

When we meet up, we discuss the many things we could handle by email or a quick conversation over the phone. But, this isn’t all we do. We joke around a lot, laugh and spend some quality time with each other.

Many times when we get down to business, the business lasts for five minutes. We spend over an hour together and most of it isn’t about the church. It’s about friendship. Organic. Real.

This builds depth into our relationships. The texting, Twittering, and Facebooking are great for supplementing relationships you are already solidifying through life experience. Remember they are apps. They help. But they don’t replace actual interface.

Make sure that you aren’t substituting the primary for the secondary. Make the extra effort to see your friends in person. Meet up with the guys. Go shopping with the girls.

Whatever.

Make memories.

Get to know each other.

Talk and laugh.

It’s important.

What about you? Do you tend to type and text your friends?

Or do you take the time to spend time with friends that will be there for you anytime?